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31 Flavors: A Variety of Email Threats to Beware of

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Every business relies on email to communicate effectively. Unfortunately, email-centralized cyberattacks are a growing trend around the world. For this reason, businesses of all sizes are focusing on email security more than ever before. There are many ‘flavors’ of email threats out there with the potential to harm your network. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common types that are making the rounds in 2017.

Phishing
Phishing attacks are becoming increasingly popular. This is when a cybercriminal impersonates a business or person with the intent to steal personal data or login credentials. It’s usually in the form of an ‘urgent’ message that attempts to scare users into giving up vital information. Defensive technology is important to prevent employees from falling victim to phishing; however, do not overlook the importance of ongoing education and awareness for all users on your network.

Spear Phishing
This type of attack is on the rise in the ever-growing world of social media. Attackers create fake profiles on social media sites to gather information on unsuspecting users. This information is then used in email attacks. It is again important for users to be educated on how to safely navigate social media sites, especially in the workplace.

Ransomware
Ransomware has frequently been in the headlines over the past year or so as more and more businesses, hospitals, and government agencies fall victim to these attacks. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and blocks access to it until a specified amount of money—a ‘ransom’— is paid. This epidemic is spreading quickly through emails that contain malicious links or attachments.

User awareness is an important component of protecting your business from these types of attacks. Along with this awareness, defensive technology also needs to be in place to balance out the risk of human error. Cybercriminals are constantly trying to fool users with new schemes; blocking these malicious emails from your network is your best bet to remain secure. For more information on how to protect your business from email threats such as phishing, spear phishing, and ransomware, contact Infomax Office Systems today.

Why You Need to Protect Yourself against Ransomware

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Everyone has seen a movie or TV show where a criminal kidnaps a victim and demands a ransom in exchange for their release. What some people do not realize, however, is that demanding a ransom is not just confined to kidnappings. Today, many criminals employ ransomware, a form of malware or computer virus that locks a user’s keyboard or computer and holds their data ‘hostage’ until the victim pays a ransom in exchange for restoring access to it.

Recently, computer criminals used ransomware to conduct the largest cyberattack in history. More than 200,000 Windows operating systems in more than 150 countries—including the United States, England, Germany, and Japan—were infected with the ransomware strain WannaCry or WanaCrypt0r2.0. Victims had the data on their computers encrypted or scrambled, effectively locking them out of it while demanding they pay a ransom of between $300 and $600. The attack was not limited to personal PCs—WannCry victims included hospitals, banks, and government agencies.

So, how does ransomware work? Well, just like in the movies, someone takes something you own and holds it hostage until you send them the money they demand in return. The individual requesting the ransom infects your computer with a virus, usually by sending an email that requests the user to click on a link. Once the virus infects the system, the hacker can lock down the computer’s files and extort the user until he or she is paid the money.

While this may seem like a relatively simple issue to resolve, the problem lies in the information that is being held hostage. Few organizations can operate without their data, and if one doesn’t have this data backed up, the impact of a ransomware attack can be crippling. In addition, the FBI, Department of Justice, and many technology firms suggest you don’t pay the ransom. Doing so does not guarantee you’ll regain access to your data, and since you’ve already been exposed to the virus and shown a willingness to pay the ransom, you’re vulnerable to be re-targeted again in the future.

How can you protect yourself against ransomware? To help prevent these kinds of attacks, there are a few steps you can take to mitigate risk. First, regularly install Microsoft security patches and system updates, frequently backup your files, secure your router, and—perhaps most important of all—don’t open suspicious emails. If it’s too late and a virus has already taken over your system, the most crucial step is disconnecting from the Internet to prevent the virus from spreading. Then, you should report the attack to authorities and file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Finally, wipe your PC and restore your data and files from backups.

Big risks can sometimes yield big rewards, but not when it comes to cybersecurity. Be sure your organization is doing all it can to protect itself from ransomware and other cyberattacks. Contact Infomax Office Systems today to learn how our on-site Managed IT services can help give you peace of mind from ransomware attacks.

Email Best Practices to Keep Your Office Secure

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Businesses are constantly targeted by cyber attackers using malicious emails to gain access to their systems. Ransomware in particular poses an enormous threat to organizations, becoming by far the most common form of malware today. Cyber attackers use it to lock down an unsuspecting recipient’s files and deny access to infected data until the victim pays a ransom. As an added bonus, ransomware has evolved to enable criminals to steal personal or financial information from the victim’s system as well, increasing the impact of an infection.

So, how can you ensure email security to protect yourself?

As humans are the weakest link in any company’s security, the first step to protecting itself is through education. Keep up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends and inform staff members of the various types of threats out there today. Stress how serious these threats are to your team, that they can and will likely be exposed to them, and how they can avoid falling prey to them.

The best way for users to protect themselves is by exercising caution in their email inbox. Never, ever, open an attachment or click on a link in an email from someone you don’t know, especially if it seems out of context. If you’re suspicious, contact your IT department before proceeding.

In addition, hackers are adept at spoofing who an email is coming from, making them appear to be sent by someone you know. If someone asks you to provide sensitive information via email, do not trust them. Verify their request by telephone or another form of communication before providing this information.

Perhaps the most effective defense against threats such as ransomware is to frequently back up your data. Even if a business does pay the ransom, there is no guarantee that the hackers will release the files being held hostage. By consistently backing up your data, you can avoid paying the ransom by simply restoring your files.

Hackers are skilled and shrewd enough to bypass SPAM filters and email security. Don’t let them lull you into a false sense of security that leaves you and your business vulnerable. Contact Infomax today to learn more about email best practices and our dedicated security solutions.